Help Me Choose
Which catering style fits your event?
Choosing a menu can feel stressful — it's often the most memorable (and costly) part of the day. Here's how to think it through, with a planner by your side the whole way.
Before you choose
Five questions worth asking
Your personal Main Event coordinator walks you through all of these — but it helps to think about them up front.
Allergies & special diets
Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, high-protein — your assigned Main Event planner helps build a menu that satisfies every guest.
Venue, space & time
Room for a sit-down meal or cocktail-style only? Is there an on-site kitchen, power for buffet lines, and time in the schedule for a full meal? We plan around your space.
Your budget
Per-person pricing scales with the menu's cost and complexity — most events land between $12 and $75 per person (before bar). Most caterers add ~15% gratuity; we'll factor it in up front.
How central is the meal?
Is the food the centerpiece (appreciation dinner, awards banquet, wedding) or a nice add-on to a packed activity schedule? That guides the style and budget.
Will you serve alcohol?
Beer & wine vs. none changes the menu (heavier 'absorbing' foods), the staffing (a TAPS-certified bartender), and the pairings. We handle the licensing details.
Nine ways to serve
Catering styles, explained
Not all caterers are created equal — here's how each style works so you can choose with confidence.
Plated
Restaurant-style service with wait staff delivering each course to seated guests. The elegant choice for weddings, balls, and formal events (adds staffing and place-setting costs).
Buffet
The most popular style — guests serve themselves the items and portions they want. Works for formal and informal events, and helps picky eaters, dieters, and food allergies.
Family Style
Guests are seated while servers bring large platters to pass around the table — inviting and interactive, like dinner at Mom's. Fewer staff than plated, more than buffet.
Active Stations
Chef-attended stations (pasta, prime-rib or turkey carving, omelet and waffle bars, Caesar bars) that make guests feel their meal was made just for them. Great as a buffet add-on.
Multi-Station
Multiple buffet and/or chef stations spread through the room to cut line length — perfect for an 'Around the World' or 'Market' theme (carving, cheeses, breads, pastas, desserts).
Food Truck
Our food truck rolls up to your event — guests order what they want off the menu. Fun, trending, and budget-friendly for grilled sandwiches and burgers.
Cocktail
Appetizers passed, stationed, or buffet — before the main course or as a lighter meal. Ideal for mixers, receptions, and social hours.
Meal Platters
Fresh food dropped off ready to serve when you don't need full service — wraps, wings, subs, sandwiches, pinwheels, meat & cheese trays, desserts.
Boxed Meals
Made fresh daily for breakfast, lunch, or dinner — great for company functions, picnics, fundraisers, airline meals, and long road trips. Custom-built per guest.
Still not sure? That's what we're here for.
Tell us about your event and your assigned coordinator will recommend the right style, menu, and budget.